When he left, I looked across the table and noticed a small piece of paper under Marley’s plate. I quickly swiped it and tucked it into my purse. Whatever it was she had left me would change the course of events. I could feel it.
As soon as Luke rejoined me, we made our way out of the restaurant and back to the motel we booked. It was small and off the radar.
It had been an awful night, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and forget the day had happened. Sitting in the armchair in the room, I opened the envelope Gregory had left for me. Emptying the contents, I felt my chest tighten. I must have looked tense because Luke was by my side in seconds.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
I held up the red ribbon, the silk feeling like a razor between my fingers.
“What is that?” he demanded.
“Gracie. She was wearing a red ribbon in the picture Gregory showed us. That’s how I knew it was a recent picture.” My hands were getting clammy, and the room seemed to be spinning. I tried to focus, but I couldn’t.
“Stay with me, stay with me.” I heard Luke’s voice, but it was as if I were listening to it from underwater. I closed my eyes, feeling myself fading.
It was dark when I came to.
Luke’s arm was around my middle, and I settled into him. I reminded myself I should not be this comfortable. Slowly, I untangled myself from his sleeping form, tiptoeing into the bathroom, then shutting the door behind me. I’d snagged my purse on the way in. I remembered the panic attack and him soothing me, but waking up with his arms around me was not what I’d expected.
Opening my purse, I pulled out the piece of paper. There was an address scrawled on it and the words,I’m sorry. I had to catch my breath. This couldn’t be where they were keeping her. There was no way Marley would defy Gregory. She was terrified of him. The few conversations we’d had were enough to secure the notion in my mind. I sat on the toilet seat, looking at the paper in my hands.
Stuffing it back in my purse, I studied the other item I’d brought with me from my house. Luke had no idea I had it, and it was best to keep it that way. This was my battle and mine alone.
Malcolm bought me the Glock 19 Gen4 as a gift for self-defense, he’d said. I’d never used it before, but I’d been to shooting lessons with him at the range. He called me a natural, said there was nothing sexier than a woman with a gun in her hands. He’d proceeded to demonstrate just how sexy he thought I was in the bathroom at the range.
The thought gutted me.
I wish I could forget him, but he haunted me.
I always will.I heard Mal’s patronizing voice in my head, and I splashed my face, taking a deep breath before exiting the bathroom.
Images of Gregory flashed through my mind. I loathed the man. He was everything wrong in this world. But I would not let him touch my daughter, and I would not let him break her spirit.
I had to believe Gracie was okay, at least for a little while.
“You okay?”
His voice startled me.
“Yeah, I’m great. You should go back to sleep.” I climbed into bed and let him wrap an arm around me.
“We’re going to figure it all out, Alyssa,” he said sleepily. “I promise.”
I said nothing, snuggling closer against Luke’s chest.
Was it wrong to feel desire curling inside me for this man?
Was it wrong to want to get lost, even for a little while?
“If you don’t stop moving like that, I can’t be held accountable for my actions, Alyssa.” His husky voice spread over my skin, and I could feel the goose bumps rising on my arms.
There was no mistaking his thick erection against my ass, and I closed my eyes. I had to keep my head on straight.
He pushed his hips forward and nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck. “Go to sleep, beautiful. Tonight’s been tough. I’ll be here in the morning.”
I closed my eyes, and when I drifted off, I didn’t dream, and for that, I suppose I was grateful.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
